Ethics

35mmdelux

35mmdelux

Veni, vidi, vici
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May 17, 2005
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Some people have ethics and some don't. Ethics is what you do when no one is looking. It describes your character or lack thereof. Photographers face ethics everyday. Do I take this picture or not? Do I put my camera into the dying person's face?

I faced an ethical issue this morning, sort of. I received a gorgeous Leica lens and a check that did not belong to me from a famous repair person. Since no signature was required I could have kept the lens and claimed ignorance. Simple as that.

Keeping the lens would have created a negative domino effect insasmuch as its not mine. It would impact the true owner of the lens who cared enough about it to have it CLA'd. It would also effect the famous repair person's reputation who would be lost for words and have to cover for the loss.

No, not here. Its not my lens. It belongs to someone else (one of you guys). I called the repair person and told them while I appreciated the free lens and the check it didnt belong to me. The individual was shocked and offered to have it picked up by UPS right away. I told them not to worry Id have it in the return mail Monday morning.

Am I looking for a pat on the back? Hell no. You may want to think about it the next time someone makes an honest mistake. Or maybe just send it back, no?

Best regards - Paul
 
Good to hear , sure some people would keep it and feel no remorse. It would appear you are not one of them , nor am I , something like that seems great if you decided upon keeping it, but one's conscience would kick in and then guilt shortly thereafter. It's always better for one to return it and know you did the right thing , plus it wont weigh heavy on your mind everytime you use the lense you know isn't yours.
 
Yup, the only thing to do. I also hope the repair shop thanks you for your integrity with some consideration, if only a complimentary CLA or minor repair. Keep the good karma rolling.
 
Ted2001 said:
Yup, the only thing to do. I also hope the repair shop thanks you for your integrity with some consideration, if only a complimentary CLA or minor repair. Keep the good karma rolling.
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It is a bit sad that we can not do good deed without expecting to get something more than a thank you back....

The story makes the day a little brighter
 
After the individual got over the initial shock I was offered a major break on any future work. Whoever the owner of this beautiful lens doesnt know it paid a visit to California...lol. No doubt some guy or gal is awaiting anxiously ....

I treasure my Leica M7 and the few lenses I own. I'm certain the owner of this wayward lens feels the same way.
 
Thank you for sharing your experience. Metaphysics or not, you are doing the right thing. It's a categorical imperative in action.
/Hans
 
Imho, you did the right thing.
However, your concept of ethics is flawed: You cannot not have ethics. Ethics means your definition of right and wrong, of good or bad actions (cosmically speaking). Some people have different ethics than others, but no-one has no ethics. Thats just not possible.
I don't mean to split hairs or lecture anyone or anything, but understanding this is very important when actually discussing issues of morality, such as your example of photographing dying people.
 
Congratulations on doing the 'right' thing. Of course, the 'right' thing is a social construct; ethics do not exist outside of human experience. Ethics are defined by the implied social contract that each of us accepts by living in a civilized society. Doing the 'right' thing reinforces the contract and validates it, which makes society less likely to fall apart. Doing the 'wrong' thing does the opposite.

Social systems can withstand a certain amount of people doing the 'wrong' thing without suffering unrepairable damage, but at some point, the social fabric breaks down if enough people choose not to obey the unwritten but understood rules of behavior in society.

We're wired and conditioned to believe in the social construct and to follow it - we feel good when we do what we believe is the 'right' thing, and many of us feel bad if we do otherwise. People who understand the social construct but choose not to follow it for their own benefit are called 'sociopaths'. Those who cannot grasp the concept of a social structure of behavior are called 'psychopaths'. One does not have to be a heinous murderer to be a sociopath, there are many who have a 'me first' attitude, which can sometimes be seen in the popular culture, with sayings such as 'Finders keepers, losers weepers.'

I try to do the 'right' thing because having been conditioned, it does make me feel good to do so, and also because I like the status quo for the most part and do not wish to see it destroyed. It is for this same reason that I have a distinct tendency towards conservatism in my personal beliefs.
 
Great story, I can't imagine the feeling of loosing a lens in a mix up like that. I know that my equipment is purchased with hard earned dollars so your story just made me feel good. Thank you.

bmattock - Great post with excellent descriptions. I would only change conservatism to progressive for me. Funny how the two can seem to be at odds but both positions can be held by people with the same social sense of ethics. It gives me hope!!
 
Ezzie said:
What goes around, comes around - eventually.
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That's metaphysics and not ethics. There might be karma, and might not. Equally likely (or unlikely) is that God will punish the wicked in an eternal lake of fire. One has to choose one's beliefs as one wishes. There is no proof of karma or gods, afterlife reward/punishment or mandala-type things.

I am not anti-religion or anti-karma, but I recognize the such beliefs are an important part of the reinforcement of the social contract. Concepts such as guilt or karma give people what appear to be logical reasons to do what is best for society as a whole, even when contrary to their own personal interests. In the end, the resulting behavior does benefit society, so I have no issues with it. Just noting that it's part of the structure that exists within the frame of human reference and not external to it, as far as can be proven.
 
35mmdelux said:
Some people have ethics and some don't. Ethics is what you do when no one is looking. It describes your character or lack thereof. Photographers face ethics everyday. Do I take this picture or not? Do I put my camera into the dying person's face?

I faced an ethical issue this morning, sort of. I received a gorgeous Leica lens and a check that did not belong to me from a famous repair person. Since no signature was required I could have kept the lens and claimed ignorance. Simple as that.

Keeping the lens would have created a negative domino effect insasmuch as its not mine. It would impact the true owner of the lens who cared enough about it to have it CLA'd. It would also effect the famous repair person's reputation who would be lost for words and have to cover for the loss.

No, not here. Its not my lens. It belongs to someone else (one of you guys). I called the repair person and told them while I appreciated the free lens and the check it didnt belong to me. The individual was shocked and offered to have it picked up by UPS right away. I told them not to worry Id have it in the return mail Monday morning.

Am I looking for a pat on the back? Hell no. You may want to think about it the next time someone makes an honest mistake. Or maybe just send it back, no?

Best regards - Paul
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That is a corny post.

Nothing to do with 'ethics', either. Local community morality perhaps, but not ethics.

Poor Kant...

Sorry guys, but this peacock-feather display churns my stomach. Did Mahatma Gandy advertise himself?
 
it is very simple; you either do the right thing or do the wrong thing. Good for you in doing the right thing.

I was also brought up to do the right thing and to not advertise that i did it....:)
 
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